What could I tell about Finland and Finnishness to Norwegian people? I can’t say much about the peaceful nature, outdoor life, beautiful landscapes, summer cottages, blueberries, the northern lights or snow because Norway has it all and even more.
If I compare the Finnish nature to the Norwegian one, I find both very, very beautiful and quite different even when there are many similarities. I find the Norwegian nature and landscapes fascinating with all the mountains and fjords. But the Finnish nature has its own modest charm, even though a Finn in his modesty would say that it is not anything very special. But the truth is, that all the calmness and peace, all the forests and thousands of lakes is something people want to come and see in Finland, even if the neighbour country is such stunning as Norway. And all that is something that feels like a home to a Finn. A most beautiful place to be.
Both Finns and the Norse love cabin life, picking blueberries and hiking in the nature. Hiking is even more a Norwegian thing. The Norse love spending Sundays walking on the mountains and enjoying outdoor life. Finns are more comfortable spending time with their family at home, even though the nature is a big part of life. But the difference is sauna. Finns looove going to sauna, naked, of course. I have heard that in Finland, there are more saunas than cars. Finns are one of the most introverted people in the world. But in the sauna, naked, they are totally different. If you want to get to know a Finn, go to sauna with him.
Culturally Norway and Finland are not very different, but somehow I can feel the atmosphere to be a bit different though. It was somehow more positive atmosphere there in Norway, I think. The Finnish melancholy is somehow so genuine, even beautiful sometimes and of course so familiar to a Finn, but I wouldn’t mind if it would disappear from our culture. The Norse are somehow a bit nicer than Finns if I can say like that. They are a bit more friendly, kind and helpful to each other. They are mostly quite introverted like Finns, at least in the southern part of Norway, and they don’t get close very quickly, but they are so nice and friendly still.
I think Finns are more independent than even the Norse. Finns don’t ask for help and won’t even help each other very easily. We Finns always try ourselves first. It is something like a shame to ask for help. Are Finns a bit self-centered? I think they (we) are. “Me, me, me. I can do it myself. With sisu. I don’t need help. And I don’t help others, if I don’t have to.” It’s kind of cute even though it could be different too, in my opinion. I would love it if we were just a bit more open, friendly and helpful to each other. That we would have the courage to face the people around us. I would like to be part of creating that kind of culture. I want to look others into the eyes more often and see if the person next to me needs something, even if it is just a little smile. That is something I would like to have more in my Finland.
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